Velocipede



I 2 Sheets Sheet 2.

U, WEBER. Y

VELOOI-PEDB.

Patented Dec. 29,1885.

(No Model) .III-

I 2. E I I UNIT D STATES PATENT, rricu.

GASPAR WEBER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 333,268, dated December 29, 1885.

Application filed September 29, 1885. Serial No. 178,495. (No model.)

It all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OASPAR WEBER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and Sta e of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes,of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the-accompanying drawwas.

My invention relates to improvements in tricycles.

The object of the invention is to improve the propelling mechanism of such devices, thereby rendering the operation thereof simple and effective.

To the accomplishment of the above the invention consists of certain novel devices and combination of devices, as will be described and claimed.

Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation (f my improved tricycleyFig. 2, a top plan thereof; Fig. 3, longitudinal section through partsthereof,and Fig. 4 an end elevation.

Like letters refer to like parts in each view.

The frame-work of the machine consists of cross pieces A A, connected at their ends to form bearings for the axle B, a cross'piece, O, and a longitudinal strip, D, connecting cross-pieces A A and O.

E E represent the large wheels mounted upon axle B, and F the small front wheel, the axle G of which has bearings in a hanger, H, as shown. Hanger H at its upper end is pro vided with a pin, H,which passes up through an opening formed in cross-piece O, and to the upper end of which a foot-lever, K, is secured. Foot-lever K extends rearwardly and is in convenient reach of the occupant, who is thus enabled to turn the front wheel and thereby guide the machine.

L is the seat, which is preferably mounted upon the longitudinal strip D, before referred to.

Mounted upon cross-piecesA A are the uprights M M, preferably of the form shown,and one upon each side of the machine. Mounted in the upper ends of uprights M is a shaft, N, which protrudes at each end beyond the uprights. Secured to shaft N, at points between uprights M, are two rods, 0, provided near theirlower ends each with a handle, 0, such handles being within convenient reach of the occupant. Secured pivotally to eachrod O, at the point shown, is an arm, P, which arms extend forwardly, and at their front ends are bifurcated, as shown. Pivoted in the bifurcated end of each arm P is a crank-arm, R, each of which is secured atitslower end upon a short stud or shaft, S, passed through the upturned ends of cross-piece O.

T T represent two pieces, bent to a form substantially like the letter 0. Each piece T is provided with across-strip, V, provided at its center with an opening through which the outer end of stud or shaft S is passed, the pieces T being thus mounted upon such shafts and adapted to revolve therewith.

By the arrangement of parts as thus far described, it will be seen that when the parts occupy the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, if the rods 0 are forced back the pieces T will be partly revolved to carry them to the position shown in dotted lines in the same figure. At one end, as shown, each piece T is provided with a weight, T, the object of which will be described. Each piece T is grooved on its circumference, and in the groove two cords, W W, now to be referred to, rest.

By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that cord W is secured to piece T at a point near the opposite end to that upon which weight T is mounted. This cord is then carried back, and .after passing partly around agroovedpulley, X, mounted loosely upon axle B, is secured thereto. Cord W is secured nearer the opposite end of piece T, extends back, and is passed up around the pulley X, towhich itissecured. By this arrangement it will be seen if piece T is revolved to elevateits weighted endthe cord W will serve to revolve pulley X, whileifsaid piece is revolved in the opposite direction the pulley will be revolved, its direction being likewise reversed through the medium of cord W. Each pulley X is hollow and provided upon one side with an open face to prevent its contacting with cross-pieces A A; but upon its opposite side is formed with a plate, upon which its hub X is formed.

Mounted upon the side plate of each pulley arranged to engage with the teeth of aratchet,

ICO

13, formed upon the inner end of the hubs of wheels E, the teeth of such ratchet being so arprovided upon its outer end withaweight,

An arm, D, is also secured to each end of shaft N, such arms being arranged at right angles to rods 0, and having secured to their upper ends each arearward]y-extending rod, E, provided with weights E at their outer ends.

F represents a foot-rest mounted upon crosspiece 0.

The operation of the device is as follows: Supposing the pieces T to occupy the position shown in fulllines in Fig. 1, whichis their normal position, the rods 0 will be drawn forward, as shown. It being desired to propel the machine the operator forces the rods back, and by so doing he causes the pieces T to revolve until the weighted ends of said pieces occupy the position shown in dotted lines in the same figure. By the revolution of pieces T, as de scribed, the cords WV are pulled upon, and through their medium the pulleys X are revolved. The direction ofthe revolution of pulleys X in this instant is such that the pawl Y Will slip over the ratchet B without revolving it, and will occupy the position shown in 'dotted lines. The backward pressure on rods 0 being removed, the weights secured to what this time are the upper ends of pieces T, will serveto cause such piecesto revolve in the opposite direction, the rods 0 being drawn forward at the same time. As, this reverse revolution of pieces T is secured, the cords \V will cause the revolution of pulleys X also in a reverse direction to that first described. As pulleys X are thus revolved,the pawlYwill engage with ratchets Band cause them to revolve, and such ratchetsbeing mounted upon the hubs of wheels E, the wheels will be revolved and the machine propelled forward,th'e operation being repeated. The weighted rods 0 and E'- during the operation described will change position, as indicated in dotted and full lines in Fig. 1, and they serve in the capacity of fly-wheels to the machine.

What I claim is- 1. The combinatiomwith the main wheels of a trieycle,suitable curved and weighted pieces, andintermediate connections, ofsuitable means for elevating the weighted ends of such pieces, as set forth.

2. The combination, with main wheels E, curved and weighted pieces T, and intermediate connections, of crankarms R, and rods P O, as set forth.

3. The combination, with wheels E, carrying ratchet-s, and grooved pulleys X, carrying spring-depressed pawls Y, of cords W W, curved and weighted pieces T, and suitable mechanism for elevating the weight ends of such pieces, as set forth.

4. The combination, with wheels E, curved and weighted pieces T, and suitable intermediate connections, of crank-arms R, rods P O, shaft N, and weighted rods 0 E, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OASPAR WEBER.

\Vitnesses:

M. J. CLAGETT, HOW'ARD HALLOCK. 

